All
Members
Companies
Blog
Forums
Podcast
Webinars
    User Log in  /  Sign up
  • Forums
    Newest Posts Trending Discussions Followed Forums Real Estate News & Current Events General Landlording & Rental Properties Buying & Selling Real Estate Deal Analysis See All
  • Education

    Read

    BiggerPockets Blog BPInsights: Expert Analysis Guides Glossary Reviews Member Blogs

    Watch

    Webinars Video Library Financial Independence Blueprint Intro to Real Estate: Rentals

    Listen

    BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast BiggerPockets Money Podcast BiggerPockets Business Podcast Real Estate Rookie Podcast Daily Podcast (Audio Blog)

    Topics

    Business Operations Finance Finding Deals Property Management Property Types Strategy
  • Network

    Recommended Vendors

    Real Estate Agents Mortgage Lenders Companies Hard Money Lenders Contractors Investment Companies

    Search

    Members Events Jobs
  • Tools

    Calculators

    Rental Property Fix and Flip BRRRR Rehab Estimator
    Wholesaling Mortgage Payment 70% Rule Airbnb

    Services

    BPInsights: Property Insights Tenant Screening Property Management Lease Agreement Packages

    New Feature

    BPInsights (beta)

    Quickly analyze a property address or ZIP Code to compare your rent in your neighborhood.

    Analyze a property
  • Find Deals
    Real Estate Listings Find Foreclosures External Link Ads, Jobs, and Other
  • Bookstore

    Real Estate Books

    Profit Like The Pros Bidding to Buy See all books

    Featured Book

    BiggerPockets Wealth Magazine book cover
    BiggerPockets Wealth Magazine

    Written by financial journalists and data scientists, get 60+ pages of newsworthy content, expert-driven advice, and data-backed research written in a clear way to help you navigate your tough investment decisions in an ever-changing financial climate! Subscribe today and get the Oct/Nov issue delivered to your door!

    Get the Magazine
  • Pricing
Log In Sign up
User
Quick search links
Podcast Hard Money Lenders Books Washington
BlogArrowFlipping HousesArrow6 Handyman Skills Every Flipper Should Master
Flipping Houses Nov 10, 2020

6 Handyman Skills Every Flipper Should Master

Mindy Jensen
Expertise: Real Estate Investing Basics, Real Estate News & Commentary, Personal Development, Flipping Houses, Landlording & Rental Properties, Personal Finance
105 Articles Written
essential handyman skills header

As a rehabber, there are some jobs that are worth knowing how to do. Relying on handymen to fix every small problem is expensive—and time-consuming. Why wait for your go-to person’s availability to open up for a tiny repair?

Want more articles like this?

Create an account today to get BiggerPocket's best blog articles delivered to your inbox

Sign up for free

Or perhaps the job is too small to hire out, and you can’t find anyone who will do it. Most contractors don’t want to pick up tiny jobs. Not worth their time. Or maybe you ran out of money due to unforeseen problems. There are a number of reasons why simple repairs become suddenly (and surprisingly) not-so-simple… or just extremely expensive. That’s when it’s extremely handy to be extremely handy.

And don’t worry: Just because you’ve never picked up a hammer before doesn’t mean you can’t perfect these skills. Basic home maintenance is surprisingly simple, although it may look convoluted, complicated, or simply too-hard on first glance. No need to be muscled, either. Anyone can learn 101-level plumbing. Anyone can spackle a hole in the wall. You might even enjoy teaching your kids a few basic how-tos—you might find they enjoy painting walls or helping place tiling. (Maybe skip the electrical until they’re older, though.)

Whatever the case, here are six jobs that are worth knowing how to do.

Related: Investors: Don’t Ignore Deferred Maintenance—A Silent Cash Flow Killer

6 Handyman Skills Everyone Should Master

Whether you're flipping or renting your properties—or just wanting to up your DIY skills for your own home—mastering these handyman jobs keeps everything running smoothly.

1. Painting

Everyone should be able to paint. Few supplies are needed—and even fewer skills. A paint roller, paint pan, and paint. Perhaps an extending handle if you are on the shorter end of the yardstick. You can paint the bulk of the wall first, then get the edges… or reverse that order, depending on your mood. Personally, I like to get the edges and corners first.

I choose not to use tape to block off edges. I learned how to “cut in” by watching videos on YouTube. (This one is my favorite.) Too many times, I would tape off the ceiling or edges, only to have the paint lift off when I removed the tape. It is really frustrating painting those edges again, and it doesn’t look nearly as good. The best way to learn how to cut in is to first watch the tutorial, then practice in the corners. They need to be painted anyway. Once you get the hand of it, painting goes really quickly.

Invest in a high-quality angled brush, about 2-1/2? wide. Smaller than that and you have to make too many trips to the paint bucket; larger than that and you start to lose control.

When the edges are done, get out your roller and start rolling. When rolling on textured walls, use a slow but steady movement. Going slower will allow the paint to settle into the deeper parts of the texture, reducing the number of coats you need to apply. A 10 x 10 room can be completed in just a couple of hours.

Pro tip: Buy quality paint. I purchased the cheapest paint I could find when painting my first house, and I ended up needing five coats to cover the color beneath. Fifteen dollars a gallon for the cheap stuff, but I needed five times as much as the high-quality, $30- to $50-a-gallon paint. Buying mis-tinted “oops” paint can save you a lot of money.

2. Basic electric

Chances are good that your new house comes complete with ugly light fixtures. Swapping them out isn’t a whole lot harder than changing light bulbs, and you certainly don’t need a contractors license to do so. Learn how to make these small changes yourself, rather than hiring an expensive electrician for a simple job. While I wouldn’t recommend a complete rewire job on your first try, updating lighting—or even installing a ceiling fan—can be done safely.

The library is full of books explaining how electrical works and outlining the how-to for any electricity-related odd jobs. YouTube is another great source of information. Even better than a book, you can find a step by step video tutorial that you can watch again and again.

I’m sure I’ll hear from the electricians on the site who will say that it is not something to be messed with. They’ve surely got stories about homeowners who burned down their houses doing their own electric. And I’m sure that has happened. So if you aren’t comfortable with doing this kind of work, have someone who is more experienced help you out.

Related: How to Renovate a House—Whether You’re Renting, Flipping, or Moving In

3. Basic plumbing

Plumbers make a lot of money. Back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, plumbing was done with copper pipes, which had to be soldered together. This is definitely a skill I don’t recommend learning on the job. One mistake and the whole house is flooded.

But there is a new sheriff in the plumbing department, and he goes by the name of Sharkbite. I cannot tell you what sort of engineering magic goes into the Sharkbite fittings, but they have made copper pipe repair lightning fast. You literally take the pipe and shove it into the fitting. Turn the water back on and no leaks. It is ridiculous how easy it is. Of course, you will pay for the convenience—but still not as much as hiring a plumber.

Even better, supply lines can be plumbed with PEX (in most cities), which is far easier and cheaper than copper. PEX stands for cross-linked polyethylene. In reality, if your state allows you to use PEX, it stands for Preposterously Easy X…undertaking (nothing starts with an X). We re-plumbed our entire house using a book from the library and watching YouTube videos when we needed more instruction.

Sinks leak pretty darn often, and it’s not always because your tenants screwed up. Knowing how to handle runny faucets, a funky sprinkler system, or any other basic plumbing maintenance work will save time and money.

4. Tiling

Easily the skill that has benefited us the most is tiling—and it’s unbelievably simple to do. Lay mortar down, put the tile on top. There are nuances to this process, and I highly recommend watching several YouTube videos to see how it is done before you start in on your floor.

Many Home Depot and Lowe’s both offer free tiling classes about once a month. They let you learn with their supplies, showing you the right techniques. There is no limit to how many times you can take the class, either.

My advice: Take your time and use a level. Mix small batches of mortar at first, and don’t be afraid to throw some out if you can’t use it in time.

Additionally, I recommend buying a tile saw and learning how to use it. We paid $70 for our first saw about 10 years ago. Other than replacing the blade once, we haven’t had to do a thing to it. We have used it for more than 1,900 square feet of tile, including ceramic, glass, slate, and travertine.

5. Drywall repair

While hanging drywall from scratch can be an advanced-level DIY skill—bad results can be very obvious—every real estate investor should know how to do basic drywall repair. There's absolutely no reason to pay your contractor money to repair a hole in the drywall left by an angry tenant (or a rambunctious kid, or a failed attempt at hanging a TV). Patching drywall is simple. And, as always, YouTube is happy to guide you in the right direction.

Keep spackle stocked for the small repairs. Once you know how to quickly patch a nail hole, there’s no need to panic about tenants hanging artwork against your wishes. Bigger holes take a bit more effort, but it’s nothing a handy DIYer can’t manage. You might have to cut out the drywall and go down to the stud in a small area. (Here’s a great Home Depot tutorial.) A saw, some drywall tape, and that ever-so-helpful spackle and you’re in business.

Related: Here’s How to Increase the Value of Your Home or Investment Property

6. Simple carpentry

No one’s expecting you to create a to-order built-in shelving. But understanding the basics of woodworking will go a long way when you want to repair or update molding, attempt a DIY flooring installation or door installation, or patch rotting boards in your properties’ patios. Consider picking up a few basic tools, like a miter saw and a basic crosscut saw.

Plus, there’s a bonus to perfecting basic carpentry: Woodworking is an enjoyable hobby with lots of uses. If you find these simple repairs enjoyable, keep practicing. Soon enough, that built-in bookshelf might be no problem at all—you might even enjoy making furniture and building full decks.

Starting a career as a real estate investor certainly doesn’t require handyman training. Perfect these six easy trade skills, though, and you’ll be able to save significant money on one-time contractor fees. Is the stove misbehaving? Dining room chandelier flickering? Electrical training might help you identify the cause and make simple light repairs.

By Mindy Jensen
Mindy Jensen has been buying and selling homes for more than 20 years. She buys houses, moves in, makes them beautiful, sells them, and starts the process all over again. She is a licensed real estate agent in Colorado, author of How to Sell Your Home, and the community manager for BiggerPockets, where she helps new and experienced investors learn the proper ways to invest in real estate to grow their wealth. Mindy is an alumnus of the School of Hard Knocks and will happily share her experiences with anyone who asks. When you can get her to stop talking about real estate, you can find her on her bike or adventuring in the beautiful mountains of Colorado.
Read more
66 Replies
    Melody Everett-Neddo Quality Technician in a CNC Machine Shop from Rapid City, Michigan
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    The You Tube link about painting cut ins is not working? Can you give us a new link to that favorite of yours, Mindy? Thanks in advance!!
    Mindy Jensen BiggerPockets Community Manager from Longmont, CO
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    Thanks for the head’s up. I have linked to a different video.

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    Michael Evans General Contractor from Palm Desert, California
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    Ever partner with GC to get on the job training? I have years of rehabbing experience and all the tools. I do that with investors for a percentage of the profits. Thanks, Mike Evans

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    Joe Arlt
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    Michael Woodward is spot on! This article is great advice for investors that don’t aspire to have a big portfolio. But for those that do, most of these rehabbing chores can be bought for $20-25 per hour. Luckily, manual labor is not my forte. If it was, I probably would have bought about 6 houses, instead of 600.
    Mindy Jensen BiggerPockets Community Manager from Longmont, CO
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    Joe, you are correct, doing it yourself would be IMPOSSIBLE if you owned 600 houses. But not everyone wants to own 600 houses, either. My magic number is 10.
    Joe Arlt
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    Thanks Mindy. I did enjoy your article. But I think you got the chronology, and therefore the moral, of my story a little backwards. I don’t avoid manual labor because I have a lot of houses. I have a lot of houses because I avoid manual labor! I also had pretty modest goals until I realized that the highest paying tasks (writing and negotiating deals) were also the most fun. And when I realized that managing 100 properties wasn’t much harder than managing 10.
    Mindy Jensen BiggerPockets Community Manager from Longmont, CO
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    Oh no. I know that hiring it out is the best way to scale up. You absolutely cannot do your own work – except manage the properties – with 600 units. I’m not knocking 600 units or high goals, I just am not headed in that direction – and most people aren’t going to be competing with you, either.

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    John Murray from Portland, Oregon
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    The higher the skill level equals greater profit. I’m journey level electrical and have 8 SFH. It is true that some people should never pick up a tool for safety reasons but the majority of people should know how to use tools. It is very difficult for me to turn down $100K in profit for 600 hours of work tax free. Tell me where can a tool challenged person can make that kind of profit with the exception of drug smuggling.

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    Letitia Harris Flipper/Rehabber from Ahwahnee, CA
    Replied almost 4 years ago
    A great article, thank you! I’d add in doing the light landscaping/yard work. When I’m flipping a house, I take charge of all the outside yard work, trimming up with a sawzall, electric pole saw, planting… I do the easy painting jobs too, if it makes sense. My best muscle is my brain, keeping it all flowing, supplies on hand, etc…

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
    Casey McCoy Residential Real Estate Broker from Evansville, Indiana
    Replied 2 months ago
    Thanks for this Mindy! Do you have a favorite floor tile video? Loved the cut in one! Super helpful!

    Report Abuse

    Why are you reporting this?

    Additional Comments (optional)

    Cancel
Rotate Log in or sign up to comment

Related Blog Posts

Flipping Houses Feb 18, 2021

Flippers and Airbnb Investors: Here’s How an S Corp Election Can Help You

By Scott Smith

In this article, see how an S Corp can help you save on or avoid certain tax deductions with your real estate business.

Read more →

Flipping Houses Nov 10, 2020

6 Handyman Skills Every Flipper Should Master

By Mindy Jensen

Some home improvement projects are best left to the professionals—but here are 4 skills it’s achievable (and wise) to master as a home flipper!

Read more →

Flipping Houses Oct 11, 2020

3 Reasons to Always Buy Distressed Property (& How to Find One)

By Engelo Rumora

Buying distressed property may seem like a major commitment—but there are HUGE, valuable advantages to investing in these homes. Read on for three great reasons to invest in distressed real estate.

Read more →

Flipping Houses Sep 15, 2020

How to Avoid Over-Improving Properties (& Make Bigger Profits!)

By Alexander Felice

Investors almost always over-improve their first properties. Sure, they end up with a very nice asset to look at, but it also leaves profitability on the table. Here’s how to know if you’re over-improving properties when utilizing the BRRRR strategy—and how to avoid it!

Read more →
Log in Sign up

Log in

Forgot password?

If you signed up for BiggerPockets via Facebook, you can log in with just one click!

Log in with Facebook

Or
btn_google_dark_normal_ios Created with Sketch. Continue with Google

Let's get started

We just need a few details to get you set up and ready to go!

Use your real name

Use at least 8 characters. Using a phrase of random words (like: paper Dog team blue) is secure and easy to remember.

By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.

Or
btn_google_dark_normal_ios Created with Sketch. Continue with Google

Why create an account?

Receive a free digital download of The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Investing.

Connect with 1,000,000+ real estate investors!

Find local real estate meetups and events in your area.

Start analyzing real estate properties, we do the math for you.

It's free!

Explore

  • Membership
  • Community
  • Education
  • Marketplace
  • Tools
  • FilePlace
  • REI Resources
  • Perks
  • Glossary
  • Reviews
  • iOS App
  • Android App

Company

  • About Us
  • Press
  • Advertising
  • Careers
  • Stats
  • Contact Us

Important

  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Terms of Use
  • Rules
  • Privacy
  • FAQ

Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
© 2004-2021 BiggerPockets, LLC. All Rights Reserved.